July 22, 2008

Garmin nuvi 500 Review

Verdict: The nüvi That Can Go Anywhere. Like Having Three GPS Units In One.

Once upon a time you had to buy a GPS for the car, a handheld unit for outdoor hiking and Geocaching, another one for cycling, and yet a different GPS for boating. Enter Garmin's nüvi 500: one GPS, four modes.

The nüvi 500 combines the best of Garmin's various GPS products into a single, easy to use device that's equally at home on the road, trails, or water. Preloaded with topographic maps of the U.S., the nüvi 500 boasts water-proof hardware, a removable 8 hour battery, electronic compass, and can be upgraded with additional maps, traffic, and MSN Direct.

The nüvi 500 is mounted to the vehicle's windshield using a suction-cup mount and cradle (shown below) that snaps onto the end of the mount, forming a ball-and-socket joint that can be articulated into the desired viewing angle without using any levers, dials, or knobs.

The suction mount is locked into place by lowering the lever on the mount.

Figure 4: nüvi 500's Windshield Mount and Cradle, Connected

The cradle fits onto the ball at the tip of the windshield mount, creating a ball-and-socket type connection that is both highly effective and easy to attach/remove. To attach the cradle to the mount, simply press the cradle's socket onto the mount's ball, applying pressure until you hear it click into position. Once connected, the cradle can be articulated into the desired position.

To remove the cradle from the mount, simply twist the cradle all the way to the right or left until it snaps off the tip of the windshield suction mount.

Garmin's well designed mount is easy to use, and holds the unit firmly in place while driving.

Figure 5: Garmin nüvi 500, Docked in the Windshield Mount

I'm a big fan of Garmin's ball-and-socket style mount. There's no moving parts to break, and it's easy to adjust the GPS with one hand while driving. There are no knobs, levers, or screws to deal with: just turn the nüvi 500 firmly into the desired position, and the mount holds it securely in place.

In exchange for the nüvi 500's extra heft and size, you get a level of ruggedness never before seen in a nüvi: this GPS is IPX7 rated, meaning the GPS case can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes, has a water-proof touch screen display, and a removable battery that can last up to 8 hours of use between charges.